... The Mentally Ill Mental illness includes many different illness that affect a person’s feelings, thinking, and daily functioning. “Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder. Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan” (NAMI, 2011). For years, the mentally ill have been the misunderstood population. There was a time when people locked away the mentally ill because they were not accepted and not to be a part of society. Many people did not understand what was going on with the mentally ill and really did not take the time to understand the disease process. For a while the mentally ill were thought of as being just a little different, the severity of their illness was not being recognized. Now that there are several advances in science, medicine, and the human body, mental illness is a little more understood. Many people no longer dismiss the mentally ill and realize that the mentally ill really do have serious issues that need to be addressed and not just swept under the rug. There is no need for the mentally ill to be secluded from society and now more people realize that. Throughout this research paper, there will be statistical...
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...MENTAL ILLNESS IN CANADA Name: Institution: In terms of the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of health, health denotes the physical, mental, psychological and social normalcy of an individual and not just the absence of disease (NIMH, 2004). From the definition that has been given, it is clear that, there is more to health than the physical attributes. Mental health is important just like physical health because no individual is considered healthy if their mental health is deranged even if they are normal physically. The mental aspect of an individual coordinates other body systems, and for this reason, every human being needs to be mentally fit. Mental illnesses have been around for centuries, and they continue affecting every citizen in Canada, just like in various parts of the world. There is growing interest by researchers on issues of mental health and how these have impacted on society. As it is an important health topic, researchers have done extensive research and now, there is diverse knowledge on health illnesses in Canada. This paper analyzes mental illnesses in the Canada by dwelling on the history of mental illnesses, statistics of mental illnesses and impact of mental illnesses on Canadian population and government as a whole in terms of managing the condition. Statistics Mental disorders are common conditions internationally, and this is the same in Canada. Estimates reveal that 26.2 million Canadians over 18 years suffer from Schizophrenia mental...
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...Abnormal Psychology and Therapy Paper David Brown, Charles Hodge PSY/300: General Psychology Susan Bonnell June 2, 2015 University of Phoenix Abnormal Psychology and Therapy Paper Abnormal psychology is the study of unusual behavior, thoughts, and emotion by members of a society (American Psychological Association, 2015). To meet the definition of abnormal, the behavior, actions, or thoughts must be atypical of the culture (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). Herein is where the challenge lies, due to the fact that our world encompasses many cultures and definitions of normal are significantly different from one region to the next. The paper will provide examples of abnormal psychology in the form of mental disorders and illnesses. Additionally, treatments for these disorders and illnesses will be discussed. Normal and Abnormal Psychology Normal and abnormal psychology can differ by culture. One’s normal behavior is that which allows for a society to maintain a productive and relationship driven life that does not differ drastically from the normalcy of said society (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). When an individual’s behavior is maladaptive to the culture he or she belongs, others will then classify said behavior as abnormal, and then will attempt to change that behavior. Wen-Sing Tseng, M.D. (2013), described a Latino man who hit his body and yelled very loudly, alone while in public, upon hearing of his wife’s death. The treating doctor was unsure if the man’s behavior...
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...Talk About Mental Health by Reynaldo Cantu III Term Paper Engineering Management 52 Tufts University Medford, Massachusetts April 30, 2015 Executive Summary I wrote this research paper as a requirement for the class Technical and Managerial Communications taught by Amy Hirschfeld. The topic of this research paper is mental health issues. The purpose of this paper is to bring to light a topic that is not very talked about but is very important. Mental health is something that is generally brushed off to the side, but mental health issues can happen to anyone at anytime. In this paper, I explain that being mentally health is being in a state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Small changes to this balance such as life experiences or biological factors can affect a person’s mental health. The major categories for mental health disorders and how they are categorized are as follows: * Anxiety- too much inner turmoil * Mood- major fluctuations in emotion * Psychotic- major disruptions in brain functions * Dementia- major disturbance to consciousness * Eating- unusual eating behaviors The best way to deal with these mental health issues is to talk to others about it. That is why it is so important for everyone to know about mental health so that they can be comfortable talking about it. Table of Contents Executive Summary Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 2.1 Purpose 2.2 Scope 2.0 Overview of What is Mental Health ...
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...the word psyche, which means “soul or mind” (Maddux, 2008, p. 56). Clinical Psychology is “the assessment, treatment, and understanding of psychological and behavioral problems and disorders” (Plante, 2011, p. 5). Clinical psychology has a rich history compiled with information derived from philosophy, biology, and science. In this paper the history and the evolving nature of clinical psychology will be described as well as an explanation of the role research and statistics has on clinical psychology, and a comparison of clinical psychology to other mental health profession. The History of Clinical Psychology Greek history presented a background of early Greek thinkers, who acknowledged an interconnection between the mind and body as well as the influence the interconnection has on illnesses. One of the first contributors to psychology came from Hippocrates, who believed disease, temperament, and personality originated from an imbalance within four humors that he called black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood within an individual’s environment (Plante, 2011). Hippocrates also suggested that abnormal behavior, physical, and emotional illnesses were influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Aristotle was another Greek, who argued a scientific basis suggesting distinct emotional periods influenced the way in which the human body functioned. Aristotle’s view of logic and reason as an influence on emotional and behavior problems is a major value of cognitive...
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...Response Paper: The Usage of Utility Psychological Measurement for Mental Illness Diagnosis Winifred Gordon Southern New Hampshire University Abstract This week assignment we are asked to write a response paper discussing the utility of using psychological measures that are in relations to mental illness diagnosis. With so many changes that are ongoing, there is a movement in the psychology world for the use of psychological measures to further aid in diagnosing mental illnesses and to push for specific measures as part of the diagnostic criteria. In this week paper I will respond to both articles and give my response to my thoughts when it relates to the usage of utility psychological measurements in relations to mental illness. Response Paper: The Usage of Utility Psychological Measurement for Mental Illness Diagnosis “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) marks the first significant revision of the publication since the DSM-IV in 1994. Changes to the DSM were largely informed by advancements in neuroscience, clinical and public health need, and identified problems with the classification system and criteria put forth” (Regier, Kuhl, and Kupfer, 2013). Because of the new movement in psychology, the requirements of utility usage in psychological measurements, can now help aid with diagnosing mental illness. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a form of dementia that causes a change in the brain resulting in the loss of memory, changes...
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...and Therapy The purpose of this paper is to discuss abnormal psychology and therapy. First this paper will define what abnormal psychology is. Then this paper will compare and contrast normal and abnormal psychology. Then the paper will examine at least two mental disorders from the perspective of psychology. Next the paper will examine two mental illnesses from the perspective of psychology. Finally the paper will discuss the similarities and difference among two different therapies in the schools of thought in psychology for treating mental disorders. Normal and Abnormal Psychology Normal vs. Abnormal Psychology The study of "normal" psychology is simply the study of someone who is in good health both mentally and physically. Said person adheres to and is responsive to social norms, and engages in activities that are socially acceptable and do not stray from the norm. Normal psychology is the study of the mind and the study of behavior. When unusual patterns of behavior, thought and emotion are studied, it falls under the branch of psychology called Abnormal psychology. The control and understanding of behavior that is considered to be deviant or aberrant either statistically or morally, has been the subject of much research and debate. Psychologists who focus on abnormal psychology identify the different causes of various conditions all while employing and discovering diverse theories that derive from general psychology theories and research. However this is still much debate...
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...Prison Abstract The increase in incarcerated individuals with mental illness in the preceding decades has made the prison system a prevalent mental health provider even though they are not prepared or equipped for such task. Prison life is tough on an individual’s mental health; overcapacity, lack of privacy, violent behavior, lack of activity, inadequate health services, seclusion from family and friends, and the insecurity of what life holds after prison contribute to the inmate’s mental health. Inmates whose judgment is altered or impaired by depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other severe mental illnesses are impacted more severely by the tribulations of prison life. Inadequate mental health services is also something mentally ill inmates face, this absconds them undertreated or mistreated. Numerous prisoners do not receive proper psychotropic medication due to the lack of mental health services and care, further impairing their capability to function. The security mission of prisons tends to overlook mental health considerations. Prison rules and codes of demeanor teach staff about security, safety, supremacy, and power. Coordinating the needs of the mentally ill with prison regulations and goals is almost impractical. Factors of the sources and effects of the concern between prison and mental illness will be observed in this research proposal. Reforms will be provided to improve mental health requirements and defend the rights of the increasing population...
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...Psychological Disorder July, 20, 2011 Psychological Disorder Paper Psychological disorders are stated to be abnormalities of the mind, known as mental disorders (Klasco, 2011). Abnormalities of the mind cause persistent behaviors that affect an individual’s daily function and life (Klasco, 2011). The different types of psychological disorders include mood disorders, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders (Klasco, 2011). The causes of these disorders are unknown, but factors that contribute to these disorders include childhood experiences, chemical imbalances in the brain, illnesses, heredity, stress, and prenatal exposures (Klasco, 2011). Psychological disorders can be serious and can be life-threatening (Klasco, 2011). One psychological disorder that will be discussed in this paper is anxiety disorder, more specifically obsessive-compulsive disorder. This paper will discuss the relationship between human development and socialization, along with how this relationship affects obsessive-compulsive disorder. Anxiety Disorder Anxiety is something that each and every person experiences at some point in their life (Chakraburtty, 2009). An individual who has an anxiety disorder can have feelings of fears and worries that can cripple the individual (Chakraburtty, 2009). An anxiety disorder is stated to be a serious mental illness and can interfere with an individual living a normal life (Chakraburtty, 2009). Symptoms of anxiety disorder include feelings...
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...Kara Butler PSYC205-20F January 22, 2015 Reaction Paper 1 Szasz is opposed to the notion of mental illness because he believes that mental illness “ is not literally a "thing" -- or physical object -- and hence it can "exist" only in the same sort of way in which other theoretical concepts exist.” (Szasz, 1960). Basically Szasz is saying that because mental illness cannot be seen or physically felt, it does not exist. He is saying that people use mental illnesses as a way to escape the reality of them having problems of everyday life such as financial problems, relationship and marriage problems, anger problems, having too much energy, etc. Szasz states that: [The assumption is made that some neurological defect, perhaps a very subtle one, will ultimately be found for all the disorders of thinking and behavior. Many contemporary psychiatrists, physicians, and other scientists hold this view. This position implies that people cannot have troubles -- expressed in what are now called "mental illnesses" -- because of differences in personal needs, opinions, social aspirations, values, and so on. All problems in living are attributed to physicochemical processes which in due time will be discovered by medical research.] (Szasz, 1960). I agree with Szasz because I believe that several criminals use the term “mental illness” as a cop-out so they don’t have to face the consequences of the crime they committed. According to, www.thelawdictionary.org, “to be considered...
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...What is clinical psychology? Clinical psychology is the “discipline that uses what is known about the principles of human behavior to help people with their numerous troubles and concerns they experience during the course of life in their relationships, emotions, and physical selves” (Plante, 2011). The paper will discuss the history and evolving nature of clinical psychology and how psychology is still changing overtime. Next, the paper will discuss the roles that research and statistics play into clinical psychology. Lastly, the paper will include the differences between clinical psychology and other types of health professions, such as clinical psychology versus social work, clinical psychology versus psychiatry, and clinically psychology versus school psychology. History and Evolving Nature of Clinical Psychology Clinical psychology has changed over the last 25 years. For starters the DSM-III was published as well as the APA standards were revised. The American Psychological Society was founded, as well as the APA published the findings from the Presidential Task force for evidence-practice. Two of the main evolved approaches would be the Cognitive-Behavioral Approach as well as the Humanistic Approach. The Cognitive-Behavioral Approach was popular in the 1970s and they were used for depression as well as “treatment focusing on changing thinking, feeling, and expectations became as important as the goal of changing overt behavior” (Plante, 2011). The Humanistic...
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...I would never peer review or revise my own papers. With the amount of revisions that were undertaken in all four projects, I feel that I have become more comfortable in the act of revision. Also, I was never good at incorporating forms of evidence to support my claims, ideas and arguments. This class was very helpful in showing how to take research and incorporate it into a project. Overall, this class has allowed me to strengthen my skills as a reviser, helped me “formulate and articulate a stance through my writing”, and helped me to use more forms of evidence to support my claims, ideas and arguments. Project 1 was the simplest of the four projects. I decided to analyze a research article on Marketing and how companies have started to move their businesses into developing nations. At first I didn’t think I would be able to write a rhetorical analysis on this article because of its length but after multiple revisions and help from peers I wrote my final draft. This was the one project where the revisions really helped me grow as a writer. Without these revisions I would have written a terrible analysis because I had no idea how to explain the ideas in the article because it was so short. My peers gave me guidance and used their papers to help formulate my own paper. Prior to this assignment I had written papers detailing articles read but I had never done so with such a short piece. It was hard to fit enough words into the paper without sounding...
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...The Importance of Biology in the Study of Psychology Ashley B. McVey Cecil College Abstract Whether it is the study of biopsychology and other fields of psychology or neuroscience, all psychologists and scientists are trying to understand the functions of the brain. The body and mind connection and how it reacts to certain behaviors or illnesses. Most all psychological functioning can be reduced to underlying brain processes. This should serve as reason alone as to why biology plays an important part in the study of psychology. Psychological factors play a role in whether a person develops a mental illness and in how well they recover from a mental illness, yet biological and genetic risk factors, or predispositions, are fundamentals to understanding mental illnesses. In this paper, we will look at Parkinson’s disease as an example of how biology has brought us to a deeper understanding of the psychology of mental illness. Psychology is an academic and applied discipline that involves the scientific study of mental functions and behaviors. Psychologists attempt to understand the role of mental functions in individual and social behavior, while also exploring the psychological and neurobiological processes that underlie certain functions and behaviors. For this reason, biology plays a very important role in the study of psychology. Psychology determines what people perceive to feel and behave, but underlying it all, ultimately determining the way we act...
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...Kyle Zickefoose Antonette Navarro Community Service 305 Dec. 4, 2014 Final Integration Paper Over the course of this semester I have learned so much in this Community Service 305 class. In this paper I will discuss my new understanding of active citizenship, community engagement, and social responsibility. I will also share some of my personal accounts during my time doing community service, how this has been much more than a one-way relationship, and some of the social issues facing the mental health population. The last thing I will be discussing is how this experience has transformed who I am as a person and how I will integrate what I have learned into my personal life. Before I started this class, I was not looking really looking forward to it. I always assumed that community service was done by retired people or celebrities looking for good publicity, but I was definitely wrong. This class has changed the way I look at community service and I now see it as a crucial part of any thriving community. Multiple videos were shown to us in class about single individuals starting large movements by cutting there own path and not being afraid of deviating from the rest of the crowd. The one video that I remember vividly was one of young boy trying to move a huge log that had fallen in the middle of the road and was blocking traffic. The boy had no chance of moving the log by himself, but he never gave up and eventually people began to start pushing the log with him...
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